Pesticide composition comprising propamocarb-hydrochloride and an insecticide active substance

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a pesticide composition intended for protecting plants, crops or seeds against phyto-pathogenic fungi or damaging insects, and the corresponding methods of treatment using the said composition. More precisely, the subject of the present invention is a pesticide composition based on propamocarb-HCl, an insecticide active substance and optionally a further fungicide active substance.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a §371 National Stage Application of PCT/EP07/64425,filed Dec. 21, 2007, which claims priority to European Application06127176.3, filed Dec. 22, 2006.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a pesticide composition intended forprotecting plants, crops or seeds against fungal diseases or insectdamages, and the corresponding methods of protection by application ofthe said composition. More precisely, the subject of the presentinvention is a pesticide composition based on propamocarb-HCl and aninsecticide active substance or compound and optionally a furtherfungicide active substance or compound.

2. Description of Related Art

As regards pesticide activity, in particular for the protection ofcrops, one of the problems at the heart of the research studies carriedout in this technical field is the improvement of performances, inparticular in terms of biological activity and in particular in terms ofmaintaining such an activity over time.

The pesticide compounds useful for the protection of plants must beendowed with an ecotoxicity which is reduced to the minimum. As far aspossible, they should not be dangerous or toxic to the operator duringuse. The economic factor should of course not be overlooked in thesearch for novel pesticide agents.

Propamocarb-hydrochloride or propamocarb-HCl is a known compound havingas chemical name propyl[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]carbamate hydrochlorideand which is represented by the following formula:

Propamocarb moiety is described in British patent GB-1212708: activityis reported in controlling Pythium ultimum. This document is silent withregard to any result or biological activity of such potential mixtures.In particular, this document does not report any activity tospecifically control seed diseases with propamocarb-HCl mixtures northis document discloses any mixture of propamocarb-HCl with anyinsecticide active substance. There is no mention in this document ofany particular result or biological activity of any mixture ofpropamocarb-HCl with an insecticide active substance.

In international patent application WO-2006/024333 there are genericallydisclosed mixtures of certain neonicotinoid insecticide compounds withknown fungicide substances; propamocarb is part of long list of suchknown fungicide substances. However, there is no specific disclosure inthis document of any combination comprising propamocarb.

In international patent applications WO-2004/080181 and WO-2007/101547there are generically disclosed numerous mixtures of some phtalamideinsecticide compounds with known fungicide substances. The associationof these insecticide compounds with propamocarb has not beenspecifically disclosed nor has been subject to any experimentation. Suchan association does not form part of the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a pesticide composition which can beused, in particular by the farmer, for controlling the pest infestingcrops and in particular for controlling insects or diseases of corn,beet, cotton, canola, beans, peanuts vegetables, lucerne, soybean,market garden crops, turf, wood, tree and horticultural plants, forexample Pythium on corn.

In a main aspect, the present invention provides a compositioncomprising:

A) propamocarb-HCl and

B) an insecticide compound

in an NB weight ratio ranging from 1/1,000 to 1,000/1; provided thatinsecticide compound B differs from compounds of formula (I)

wherein:

-   -   Hal represents a chlorine atom, a bromine atom or a iodine atom;    -   R represents hydrogen or methyl and * may represent a carbon        atom in R- or S-configuration.        According to the present invention, propamocarb-HCl and        propamocarb can be used in the same manner. Both forms are part        of the present invention in its various aspects or preferences.

In a further aspect, the present invention provides a compositioncomprising:

A) propamocarb-HCl;

B) an insecticide compound and

C) a further fungicide compound in an A/B/C weight ratio ranging from1/1,000/1,000 to 1/0.001/0.001; provided that insecticide compound Bdiffers from compounds of formula (I)

wherein:

-   -   Hal represents a chlorine atom, a bromine atom or a iodine atom;    -   R represents hydrogen or methyl and * may represent a carbon        atom in R- or S-configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention advantageously provides a pesticide compositionwhich is completely high-performing in particular as regards itsefficacy against pests and the perenniallity of this efficacy so as tobe able to reduce the doses of chemical products spread in theenvironment for combating pest damages or attacks of plants or crops.

The invention provides a pesticide composition capable to be more activeand active for longer, and which therefore has a lower dose, but whichis also less toxic, in particular in the treatment of plants andparticularly the foliar and seed treatments of fungal diseases or thecontrol of insects, for example, of cereals, cotton, peanut, bean, beet,canola, Solanaceae, grapevine, vegetables, lucerne, soybean, marketgarden crops, turf, wood or horticultural plants.

The composition according to the invention allows controlling a broadvariety of insects or fungi. For example, the pesticide compositionaccording to the invention exhibits an improved efficacy against funguslike Plasmodiophoromycetes, Oomycetes, Chytridiomycetes, Zygomycetes,Basidiomycetes, Deuteromycetes and Ascomycetes.

All these objectives or advantages, among others, were achieved byfinding a pesticide composition comprising propamocarb-HCl; aninsecticide compound and optionally a further fungicide compound. Such acomposition surprisingly and unexpectedly allows a very high andperennial insecticide or anti-fungal efficacy against a broad spectrumof insects or fungi and in particular against those responsible fordiseases or damages of corn for example to Oomycetes. Other insect pestsor diseases of corn can be controlled with the pesticide compositionaccording to the invention, in particular the control of Ascomycetes orBasidiomycetes.

The pesticide composition according to the invention may also be usedfor the treatment of bacterial or virus diseases.

Insects or nematodes that can be controlled with the pesticidecomposition according to the invention include a broad variety of thesedamaging organisms.

For the composition according to the invention, insecticide compound Bis preferably selected in the list consisting of:

B1) a compound capable to act as an acetylcholine receptor agonist orantagonist, for example a compound of the type chloronicotinyl likeacetamiprid, clothianidin, dinotefuran, imidacloprid, imidaclothiz alsoknown as(2E)-1-[(2-chloro-1,3-thiazol-5-yl)methyl]-N-nitroimidazolidin-2-imine,nitenpyram, nithiazine, thiacloprid; thiamethoxam; nicotine, bensultap,cartap,(2E)-1-[(2-chloro-1,3-thiazol-5-yl)methyl]-3,5-dimethyl-N-nitro-1,3,5-triazinan-2-imine;

B2) a compound capable to inhibit acetylcholinesterase (ACHE), forexample a compound of the type carbamate like alanycarb, aldicarb,aldoxycarb, allyxycarb, aminocarb, bendiocarb, benfuracarb, bufencarb,butacarb, butocarboxim, butoxycarboxim, carbaryl, carbofuran,carbosulfan, cloethocarb, dimetilan, ethiofencarb, fenobucarb,fenothiocarb, formetanate, furathiocarb, isoprocarb, metam-sodium,methiocarb, methomyl, metolcarb, oxamyl, pirimicarb, promecarb,propoxur, thiodicarb, thiofanox, trimethacarb, XMC, xylylcarb;triazamate; a compound of the type organophosphate like acephate,azamethiphos, azinphos (-methyl, -ethyl), bromophos-ethyl, bromfenvinfos(-methyl), butathiofos, cadusafos, carbophenothion, chlorethoxyfos,chlorfenvinphos, chlormephos, chlorpyrifos (-methyl/-ethyl), coumaphos,cyanofenphos, cyanophos, chlorfenvinphos, demeton-s-methyl,demeton-s-methylsulphon, dialifos, diazinon, dichlofenthion,dichlorvos/ddvp, dicrotophos, dimethoate, dimethylvinphos,dioxabenzofos, disulfoton, epn, ethion, ethoprophos, etrimfos, famphur,fenamiphos, fenitrothion, fensulfothion, fenthion, flupyrazofos,fonofos, formothion, fosmethilan, fosthiazate, heptenophos, iodofenphos,iprobenfos, isazofos, isofenphos, isopropyl o-salicylate, isoxathion,malathion, mecarbam, methacrifos, methamidophos, methidathion,mevinphos, monocrotophos, naled, omethoate, oxydemeton-methyl, parathion(-methyl/-ethyl), phenthoate, phorate, phosalone, phosmet, phosphamidon,phosphocarb, phoxim, pirimiphos (-methyl/-ethyl), profenofos, propaphos,propetamphos, prothiofos, prothoate, pyraclofos, pyridaphenthion,pyridathion, quinalphos, sebufos, sulfotep, sulprofos, tebupirimfos,temephos, terbufos, tetrachlorvinphos, thiometon, triazophos,triclorfon, vamidothion;

B3) a compound capable to modulate the sodium channel or to block thevoltage dependant sodium channel, for example a compound of the typepyrethroid like acrinathrin, allethrin (d-cis-trans, d-trans),beta-cyfluthrin, bifenthrin, bioallethrin,bioallethrin-s-cyclopentyl-isomer, bioethanomethrin, biopermethrin,bioresmethrin, chlovaporthrin, cis-cypermethrin, cis-resmethrin,cis-permethrin, clocythrin, cycloprothrin, cyfluthrin, cyhalothrin,cypermethrin (alpha, beta-, theta-, zeta-), cyphenothrin, deltamethrin,empenthrin (1R-isomer), esfenvalerate, etofenprox, fenfluthrin,fenpropathrin, fenpyrithrin, fenvalerate, flubrocythrinate,flucythrinate, flufenprox, flumethrin, fluvalinate, fubfenprox,gamma-cyhalothrin, imiprothrin, kadethrin, lambda-cyhalothrin,metofluthrin, permethrin (cis-, trans-), phenothrin (1r-trans isomer),prallethrin, profluthrin, protrifenbute, pyresmethrin, resmethrin,RU15525, silafluofen, tau-fluvalinate, tefluthrin, terallethrin,tetramethrin (−1r-isomer), tralomethrin, transfluthrin, ZX18901,pyrethrins (pyrethrum); for example DDT; for example a compound of thetype oxadiazine like indoxacarb;

B4) a compound capable to modulate acetylcholine receptor, for example acompound of the type spinosyn like spinosad;

B5) a compound capable to act as GABA-gated chloride channel antagonist,for example a compound of the type cyclodiene organochlorine likecamphechlor, chlordane, endosulfan, gamma-HCH, HCH, heptachlor, lindane,methoxychlor; a compound of the type fiprole like acetoprole, ethiprole,fipronil, vaniliprole;

B6) a compound capable to activate the chloride channel, for example acompound of the type mectin like avermectin, emamectin,emamectin-benzoate, ivermectin, milbemycin;

B7) a compound capable to mimic a juvenile hormone like diofenolan,epofenonane, fenoxycarb, hydroprene, kinoprene, methoprene,pyriproxifen, triprene;

B8) a compound capable to act as an ecdysone agonist or disruptor, forexample a compound of the type diacylhydrazine like chromafenozide,halofenozide, methoxyfenozide, tebufenozide;

B9) a compound capable to inhibit chitin biosynthesis, for example acompound of the type benzoylurea like bistrifluoron, chlofluazuron,diflubenzuron, fluazuron, flucycloxuron, flufenoxuron, hexaflumuron,lufenuron, novaluron, noviflumuron, penfluoron, teflubenzuron,triflumuron; buprofezin; cyromazine;

B10) a compound capable to inhibit oxidative phosphorylation or todisrupt ATP, like diafenthiuron; for example a compound of the typeorganotin like azocyclotin, cyhexatin, fenbutatin-oxide;

B11) a compound capable to uncouple oxidative phosphorylation viadisruption of H proton gradient, for example a compound of the typepyrrole like chlorfenapyr; a compound of the type dinitrophenole likebinapacyrl, dinobuton, dinocap, DNOC;

B12) a compound capable to inhibit site I electron transport, forexample a compound of the type METI like fenazaquin, fenpyroximate,pyrimidifen, pyridaben, tebufenpyrad, tolfenpyrad; hydramethylnon;dicofol;

B13) a compound capable to inhibit site II electron transport likerotenone;

B14) a compound capable to inhibit site III electron transport likeacequinocyl, fluacrypyrim;

B15) a compound capable to act as a microbial disruptor of insect midgutor intestinal membrane like stains of Bacillus thuringiensis;

B16) a compound capable to inhibit lipid synthesis, for example acompound of the type tetronic acid insecticide like spirodiclofen,spiromesifen or a compound of the type tetramic acid insecticide likespirotetramat also known as carbonic acidcis-3-(2,5-dimethylphenyl)-8-methoxy-2-oxo-1-azaspiro[4.5]dec-3-en-4-ylethyl ester (CAS-reg-n° 203313-25-1) and3-(2,5-dimethylphenyl)-8-methoxy-2-oxo-1-azaspiro[4.5]dec-3-en-4-ylethyl carbonate also known as carbonic acid3-(2,5-dimethylphenyl)-8-methoxy-2-oxo-1-azaspiro[4.5]dec-3-en-4-ylethyl ester (CAS-reg-n° 382608-10-8);

B17) a compound of the type carboxamide like flonicamid;

B18) a compound capable to act as an octopaminergic agonist likeamitraz;

B19) a compound capable to inhibit magnesium-stimulated ATP-ase likepropargite;

B20) a compound of the type BDCA or capable to act as a ryanodinreceptor agonist like rynaxypyr or phthalamides, e.g. flubendiamide alsoknown asN2-[1,1-dimethyl-2-(methylsulfonyl)ethyl]-3-iodo-N1-[2-methyl-4-[1,2,2,2-tetrafluoro-1-(trifluoromethyl)ethyl]phenyl]-1,2-benzenedicarboxamide(CAS-reg-n° 272451-65-7);

B21) a compound of the type nereistoxin analogue insecticide likethiocyclam hydrogen oxalate, thiosultap-sodium;

B22) a compound of the types biologica, hormones or pheromones likeazadirachtin, Bacillus spec., Beauveria spec., codlemone, Metarrhiziumspec., Paecilomyces spec., thuringiensin, Verticillium spec.;

B23) a compound of unknown or non-specific mode of action, for example acompound of the type fumigant like aluminium phosphide, methyl bromide,sulfuryl fluoride; a compound of the type selective feeding blocker likecryolite, flonicamid, pymetrozine; a compound of the type mite growthinhibitor like clofentezine, etoxazole, hexythiazox; amidoflumet,benclothiaz, benzoximate, bifenazate, bromo-propylate, buprofezin,chinomethionat, chlordimeform, chlorobenzilate, chloropicrin,clothiazoben, cycloprene, cyflumetofen, dicyclanil, fenoxacrim,fentrifanil, flubendiamide, flubenzimine, flufenerim, flutenzin,gossyplure, hydramethylnone, japonilure, metoxadiazone, petroleum,piperonyl butoxide, potassium oleate, pyrafluprole, pyridalyl,pyriprole, sulfluramid, tetradifon, tetrasul, triarathene, verbutin.

More preferrably, the composition according to the invention comprisespropamocarb-HCl and abamectin; propamocarb-HCl and acephate;propamocarb-HCl and acetamiprid; propamocarb-HCl and acrinathrin;propamocarb-HCl and aldicarb; propamocarb-HCl and alpha-cypermethrin;propamocarb-HCl and beta-cyfluthrin; propamocarb-HCl and bifenthrin;propamocarb-HCl and carbaryl; propamocarb-HCl and carbofuran;propamocarb-HCl and chlorfenapyr; propamocarb-HCl and chlorfluazuron;propamocarb-HCl and chlorpyrifos-E; propamocarb-HCl and clothianidin;propamocarb-HCl and cyfluthrin; propamocarb-HCl and cypermethrin;propamocarb-HCl and cyromazine; propamocarb-HCl and deltamethrin;propamocarb-HCl and diflubenzuron; propamocarb-HCl and dinotefuran;propamocarb-HCl and emamectin-benzoate; propamocarb-HCl and ethiprole;propamocarb-HCl and fenpyroximate; propamocarb-HCl and fipronil;propamocarb-HCl and flonicamid; propamocarb-HCl and flubendiamide;propamocarb-HCl and flufenoxuron; propamocarb-HCl and gamma-cyhalothrin;propamocarb-HCl and hexaflumuron; propamocarb-HCl and imidacloprid;propamocarb-HCl and indoxacarb; propamocarb-HCl and L-cyhalothrin;propamocarb-HCl and lepimectin; propamocarb-HCl and lufenuron;propamocarb-HCl and methamidophos; propamocarb-HCl and methiocarb;propamocarb-HCl and methomyl; propamocarb-HCl and methoxyfenozide;propamocarb-HCl and milbemycin; propamocarb-HCl and nitenpyram;propamocarb-HCl and novaluron; propamocarb-HCl and profenofos;propamocarb-HCl and pymetrozine; propamocarb-HCl and rynaxapyr;propamocarb-HCl and spinosad; propamocarb-HCl and spirodiclofen;propamocarb-HCl and spiromesifen; propamocarb-HCl and spirotetramat;propamocarb-HCl and tebufenozide; propamocarb-HCl and tebufenozide;propamocarb-HCl and tebufenpyrad; propamocarb-HCl and tebufenpyrad;propamocarb-HCl and tebupirimphos; propamocarb-HCl and teflubenzuron;propamocarb-HCl and tefluthrin; propamocarb-HCl and thiacloprid;propamocarb-HCl and thiamethoxam; propamocarb-HCl and thiodicarb;propamocarb-HCl and triazophos triflumuron; propamocarb-HCl andimidaclothiz; propamocarb-HCl and(2E)-1-[(2-chloro-1,3-thiazol-5-yl)methyl]-3,5-dimethyl-N-nitro-1,3,5-triazinan-2-imine.

Even more preferrably, the composition according to the inventioncomprises propamocarb-HCl and abamectin; propamocarb-HCl andacetamiprid; propamocarb-HCl and aldicarb; propamocarb-HCl andbeta-cyfluthrin; propamocarb-HCl and carbofuran; propamocarb-HCl andchlorpyrifos-E; propamocarb-HCl and clothianidin; propamocarb-HCl andcypermethrin; propamocarb-HCl and cyromazine; propamocarb-HCl anddeltamethrin; propamocarb-HCl and diflubenzuron; propamocarb-HCl andemamectin-benzoate; propamocarb-HCl and ethiprole; propamocarb-HCl andfipronil; propamocarb-HCl and gamma-cyhalothrin; propamocarb-HCl andimidacloprid; propamocarb-HCl and L-cyhalothrin; propamocarb-HCl andlufenuron; propamocarb-HCl and methiocarb; propamocarb-HCl andmethoxyfenozide; propamocarb-HCl and pymetrozine; propamocarb-HCl andrynaxapyr; propamocarb-HCl and spinosad; propamocarb-HCl andspirodiclofen; propamocarb-HCl and spiromesifen; propamocarb-HCl andspirotetramat; propamocarb-HCl and tebufenozide; propamocarb-HCl andtebufenpyrad; propamocarb-HCl and tefluthrin; propamocarb-HCl andthiacloprid; propamocarb-HCl and thiamethoxam; propamocarb-HCl andthiodicarb; propamocarb-HCl and triflumuron; propamocarb-HCl andimidaclothiz; preferred composition according to the invention comprisespropamocarb-HCl and(2E)-1-[(2-chloro-1,3-thiazol-5-yl)methyl]-3,5-dimethyl-N-nitro-1,3,5-triazinan-2-imine.

Still even more preferrably, the composition according to the inventioncomprises propamocarb-HCl and abamectin; propamocarb-HCl and aldicarb;propamocarb-HCl and beta-cyfluthrin; propamocarb-HCl and chlorpyrifos-E;propamocarb-HCl and clothianidin; propamocarb-HCl and cyromazine;propamocarb-HCl and deltamethrin; propamocarb-HCl and diflubenzuron;propamocarb-HCl and emamectin-benzoate; propamocarb-HCl and fipronil;propamocarb-HCl and gamma-cyhalothrin; propamocarb-HCl and imidacloprid;propamocarb-HCl and L-cyhalothrin; propamocarb-HCl and methiocarb;propamocarb-HCl and pymetrozine; propamocarb-HCl and rynaxapyr;propamocarb-HCl and spinosad; propamocarb-HCl and spirodiclofen;propamocarb-HCl and spiromesifen; propamocarb-HCl and spirotetramat;propamocarb-HCl and tebufenozide; propamocarb-HCl and tebufenpyrad;propamocarb-HCl and tefluthrin; propamocarb-HCl and thiamethoxam;propamocarb-HCl and thiodicarb; propamocarb-HCl and imidaclothiz;propamocarb-HCl and(2E)-1-[(2-chloro-1,3-thiazol-5-yl)methyl]-3,5-dimethyl-N-nitro-1,3,5-triazinan-2-imine.

For the composition according to the invention the A/B weight ratiopreferably ranges from 1/125 to 125/1; more preferably from 1/25 to25/1.

According to another aspect of the present invention, in the pesticidecomposition according to the invention, the compound ratio A/B can beadvantageously selected so as to produce a synergistic effect. The termsynergistic effect is understood to mean in particular that defined byColby in an article entitled “Calculation of the synergistic andantagonistic responses of herbicide combinations” Weeds, (1967), 15,pages 20-22.

The latter article mentions the formula:

$E = {X + Y - \frac{XY}{100}}$wherein E represents the expected percentage of inhibition of the pestfor the combination of the two compounds at defined doses (for exampleequal to x and y respectively), X is the percentage of inhibitionobserved for the pest by compound A at a defined dose (equal to x), Y isthe percentage of inhibition observed for the pest by compound B at adefined dose (equal to y). When the percentage of inhibition observedfor the combination is greater than E, there is a synergistic effect.

The term “synergistic effect” also means the effect defined byapplication of the Tammes method, “Isoboles, a graphic representation ofsynergism in pesticides”, Netherlands Journal of Plant Pathology, 70(1964), pages 73-80.

In a further aspect, the present invention provides a compositioncomprising:

A) propamocarb-HCl;

B) an insecticide compound and

C) a further fungicide compound in an A/B/C weight ratio ranging from1/1,000/1,000 to 1/0.001/0.001; provided that insecticide compound Bdiffers from compounds of formula (I)

wherein:

-   -   Hal represents a chlorine atom, a bromine atom or a iodine atom;    -   R represents hydrogen or methyl and * may represent a carbon        atom in R- or S-configuration.

In addition to propamocarb-HCl and an insecticide compound B asherein-defined, the composition according to the invention can comprisea further fungicide compound C preferably selected in the listconsisting of:

C1) a compound capable to inhibit the nucleic acid synthesis likebenalaxyl, benalaxyl-M, bupirimate, clozylacon, dimethirimol, ethirimol,furalaxyl, hymexazol, mefenoxam, metalaxyl, metalaxyl-M, ofurace,oxadixyl, oxolinic acid;

C2) a compound capable to inhibit the mitosis and cell division likebenomyl, carbendazim, diethofencarb, ethaboxam, fuberidazole,pencycuron, thiabendazole, thiophanate-methyl, zoxamide;

C3) a compound capable to inhibit the respiration for example

as CI-respiration inhibitor like diflumetorim;

as CII-respiration inhibitor like boscalid, carboxin, fenfuram,flutolanil, furametpyr, furmecyclox, mepronil, oxycarboxin,penthiopyrad, thifluzamide;

as CIII-respiration inhibitor like amisulbrom, azoxystrobin, cyazofamid,dimoxystrobin, enestrobin, famoxadone, fenamidone, fluoxastrobin,kresoxim-methyl, metominostrobin, orysastrobin, picoxystrobin,pyraclostrobin, trifloxystrobin;

C4) a compound capable of to act as an uncoupler like dinocap,fluazinam, meptyldinocap;

C5) a compound capable to inhibit ATP production like fentin acetate,fentin chloride, fentin hydroxide, silthiofam;

C6) a compound capable to inhibit AA and protein biosynthesis likeandoprim, blasticidin-S, cyprodinil, kasugamycin, kasugamycinhydrochloride hydrate, mepanipyrim, pyrimethanil;

C7) a compound capable to inhibit the signal transduction likefenpiclonil, fludioxonil, quinoxyfen;

C8) a compound capable to inhibit lipid and membrane synthesis likebiphenyl, chlozolinate, edifenphos, etridiazole, iodocarb, iprobenfos,iprodione, isoprothiolane, procymidone, pyrazophos, tolclofos-methyl,vinclozolin;

C9) a compound capable to inhibit ergosterol biosynthesis likealdimorph, azaconazole, bitertanol, bromuconazole, cyproconazole,diclobutrazole, difenoconazole, diniconazole, diniconazole-M, dodemorph,dodemorph acetate, epoxiconazole, etaconazole, fenarimol, fenbuconazole,fenhexamid, fenpropidin, fenpropimorph, fluquinconazole, flurprimidol,flusilazole, flutriafol, furconazole, furconazole-cis, hexaconazole,imazalil, imazalil sulfate, imibenconazole, ipconazole, metconazole,myclobutanil, naftifine, nuarimol, oxpoconazole, paclobutrazol,pefurazoate, penconazole, prochloraz, propiconazole, prothioconazole,pyributicarb, pyrifenox, simeconazole, spiroxamine, tebuconazole,terbinafine, tetraconazole, triadimefon, triadimenol, tridemorph,triflumizole, triforine, triticonazole, uniconazole, viniconazole,voriconazole;

C10) a compound capable to inhibit cell wall synthesis likebenthiavalicarb, bialaphos, dimethomorph, flumorph, iprovalicarb,mandipropamid, polyoxins, polyoxorim, validamycin A;

C11) a compound capable to inhibit melanine biosynthesis likecarpropamid, diclocymet, fenoxanil, phthalide, pyroquilon, tricyclazole;

C12) a compound capable to induce a host defence likeacibenzolar-S-methyl, probenazole, tiadinil;

C13) a compound capable to have a multisite action like Bordeauxmixture, captafol, captan, chlorothalonil, copper naphthenate, copperoxide, copper oxychloride, copper preparations such as copper hydroxide,copper sulphate, dichlofluanid, dithianon, dodine, dodine free base,ferbam, fluorofolpet, folpet, guazatine, guazatine acetate,iminoctadine, iminoctadine albesilate, iminoctadine triacetate,mancopper, mancozeb, maneb, metiram, metiram zinc, oxine-copper,propineb, sulphur and sulphur preparations including calciumpolysulphide, thiram, tolylfluanid, zineb, ziram;

C14) benthiazole, bethoxazin, capsimycin, carvone, chinomethionat,cufraneb, cyflufenamid, cymoxanil, dazomet, debacarb, dichlorophen,diclomezine, dicloran, difenzoquat, difenzoquat methylsulphate,diphenylamine, ethaboxam, ferimzone, flumetover, flusulfamide,fluopicolide, fluopyram also known asN-{2-[3-chloro-5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2-yl]ethyl}-2-(trifluoromethyl)benzamide,fluoroimide, fosetyl-aluminium, fosetyl-calcium, fosetyl-sodium,hexachlorobenzene, 8-hydroxyquinoline sulfate, irumamycin, isotianil,methasulphocarb, metrafenone, methyl isothiocyanate, mildiomycin,natamycin, nickel dimethyldithiocarbamate, nitrothal-isopropyl,octhilinone, oxamocarb, oxyfenthiin, pentachlorophenol and salts,2-phenylphenol and salts, phosphorous acid and its salts, piperalin,propamocarb-fosetylate also known asdimethyl-[3-(propoxycarbonylamino)propyl]ammonium-β-ethylphosphonate,propanosinesodium, proquinazid, pyribencarb, pyrroInitrine, quintozene,tecloftalam, tecnazene, triazoxide, trichlamide, valiphenal, zarilamidand 2,3,5,6-tetrachloro-4-(methylsulfonyl)-pyridine,N-(4-chloro-2-nitrophenyl)-N-ethyl-4-methyl-benzenesulfonamide,2-amino-4-methyl-N-phenyl-5-thiazolecarboxamide,2-chloro-N-(2,3-dihydro-1,1,3-trimethyl-1H-inden-4-yl)-3-pyridincarboxamide,3-[5-(4-chlorophenyl)-2,3-dimethylisoxazolidin-3-yl]pyridine,cis-1-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-(1H-1,2,4-triazole-1-yl)-cycloheptanol, methyl1-(2,3-dihydro-2,2-dimethyl-1H-inden-1-yl)-1H-imidazole-5-carboxylate,3,4,5-trichloro-2,6-pyridinedicarbonitrile,methyl-2-[[[cyclopropyl[(4-methoxyphenyl)imino]methyl]thio]methyl]-.alpha.-(methoxymethylene)-benzeneacetate,4-chloro-alpha-propynyloxy-N-[2-[3-methoxy-4-(2-propynyloxy)phenyl]ethyl]benzeneacetamide,(2S)—N-[2-[4-[[3-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-propynyl]oxy]-3-methoxyphenyl]ethyl]-3-methyl-2-[(methylsulfonyl)amino]butanamide,5-chloro-7-(4-methylpiperidin-1-yl)-6-(2,4,6-trifluorophenyl)[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine,5-chloro-6-(2,4,6-trifluorophenyl)-N-[(1R)-1,2,2-trimethylpropyl][1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-7-amine,5-chloro-N-[(1R)-1,2-dimethylpropyl]-6-(2,4,6-trifluorophenyl)[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-7-amine,N-[1-(5-bromo-3-chloropyridin-2-yl)ethyl]-2,4-dichloronicotinamide,N-(5-bromo-3-chloropyridin-2-yl)methyl-2,4-dichloronicotinamide,2-butoxy-6-iodo-3-propyl-benzopyranon-4-one,N-{(Z)-[(cyclopropylmethoxy)imino][6-(difluoromethoxy)-2,3-difluorophenyl]methyl}-2-phenylacetamide,N-{2-[1,1′-bi(cyclopropyl)-2-yl]phenyl}-3-(difluoromethyl)-1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,N-ethyl-N-methyl-N′-{2-methyl-5-(trifluoromethyl)-4-[3-(trimethylsilyl)propoxy]phenyl}imidoformamide,N-ethyl-N-methyl-N′-{2-methyl-5-(difluoromethyl)-4-[3-(trimethylsilyl)propoxy]phenyl}imidoformamide,N-(3-ethyl-3,5,5-trimethyl-cyclohexyl)-3-formylamino-2-hydroxy-benzamide,N-(4-chlorobenzyl)-3-[3-methoxy-4-(prop-2-yn-1-yloxy)phenyl]propanamide,N-[(4-chlorophenyl)(cyano)methyl]-3-[3-methoxy-4-(prop-2-yn-1-yloxy)phenyl]propanamide,2-[[[[1-[3(1Fluoro-2-phenylethyl)oxy]phenyl]ethylidene]amino]oxy]methyl]-alpha-(methoxyimino)-N-methyl-alphaE-benzeneacetamide,N-(3′,4′-dichloro-5-fluorobiphenyl-2-yl)-3-(difluoromethyl)-1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,2-(2-{[6-(3-chloro-2-methylphenoxy)-5-fluoropyrimidin-4-yl]oxy}phenyl)-2-(methoxyimino)-N-methylacetamide,1-[(4-methoxyphenoxy)methyl]-2,2-dimethylpropyl-1H-imidazole-1-carboxylicacid,O-[1-[(4-methoxyphenoxy)methyl]-2,2-dimethylpropyl]-1H-imidazole-1-carbothioicacid, a dipeptic mixture ofmethyl-[S—(R,S)]-[3-(N-isopropoxycarbonylvalinyl)-amino]-3-(4-chloro-phenyl)propanoate,methyl-(2-chloro-5-{(1E)-N-[(6-methylpyridin-2-yl)methoxy]-ethanimidoyl}benzyl)carbamate,4-chloro-alpha-methoxy-N-[2-[3-methoxy-4-(2-propynyloxy)phenyl]ethyl]-benzeneacetamide,3,4-dichloro-N-(2-cyanophenyl)isothiazole-5-carboxamide,N-[2-(1,3-dimethyl-butyl)-phenyl]-5-fluoro-1,3-dimethyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide.

Most preferred compounds C in the composition according to the inventioncan be selected in the list consisting of benalaxyl, benalaxyl-M,benthiavalicarb, carboxin, chlorothalonil, cyazofamid, cymoxanil,dimethomorph, fluazinam, fludioxonil, fluoxastrobin, fluquinconazole,flutriafol, fosetyl-Al, hexaconazole, hymexazol, ipconazole, mancozeb,mandipropamid, maneb, mefenoxam, metalaxyl, metiram, penconazole,penthiopyrad, phosphorous acid, propamocarb-fosetylate, propineb,prothioconazole, tebuconazole, thiram, triadimenol, trifloxystrobin,triticonazole andN-[2-(1,3-dimethyl-butyl)-phenyl]-5-fluoro-1,3-dimethyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide.

The composition according to the invention preferably comprises

A) propamocarb-HCl;

B) an insecticide compound selected in the list consisting of abamectin,aldicarb, beta-cyfluthrin, chlorpyrifos-E, clothianidin, cyromazine,deltamethrin, diflubenzuron, emamectin-benzoate, fipronil,gamma-cyhalothrin, imidacloprid, L-cyhalothrin, methiocarb, pymetrozine,rynaxapyr, spinosad, spirodiclofen, spiromesifen, spirotetramat,tebufenozide, tebufenpyrad, tefluthrin, thiamethoxam, thiodicarb,imidaclothiz,(2E)-1-[(2-chloro-1,3-thiazol-5-yl)methyl]-3,5-dimethyl-N-nitro-1,3,5-triazinan-2-imineand

C) a further fungicide compound selected in the list consisting ofbenalaxyl, benalaxyl-M, benthiavalicarb, carboxin, chlorothalonil,cyazofamid, cymoxanil, dimethomorph, fluazinam, fludioxonil,fluoxastrobin, fluquinconazole, flutriafol, fosetyl-Al, hexaconazole,hymexazol, ipconazole, mancozeb, mandipropamid, maneb, mefenoxam,metalaxyl, metiram, penconazole, penthiopyrad, phosphorous acid,propamocarb-fosetylate, propineb, prothioconazole, tebuconazole, thiram,triadimenol, trifloxystrobin, triticonazole andN-[2-(1,3-dimethyl-butyl)-phenyl]-5-fluoro-1,3-dimethyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide.

For the composition according to the invention the A/B/C weight ratiopreferably ranges from 1/100/100 to 1/0.01/0.01; more preferably from1/80/80 to 1/0.05/0.05; even more preferably from 1/50/100 to 1/1.5/2.5;still even more preferably from 1/12/25 to 1/6/12.

According to another aspect of the present invention, in the pesticidecomposition according to the invention, the compound ratio A/B/C can beadvantageously selected so as to produce a synergistic effect. The termsynergistic effect is understood to mean in particular that defined byColby in an article entitled “Calculation of the synergistic andantagonistic responses of herbicide combinations” Weeds, (1967), 15,pages 20-22.

The latter article mentions the formula:

$E = {X + Y + Z - \frac{XYZ}{100}}$wherein E represents the expected percentage of inhibition of the pestfor the combination of the three compounds at defined doses (for exampleequal to x, y and z respectively), X is the percentage of inhibitionobserved for the pest by compound A at a defined dose (equal to x), Y isthe percentage of inhibition observed for the pest by compound B at adefined dose (equal to y) and Z is the percentage of inhibition observedfor the pest by compound C at a defined dose (equal to z). When thepercentage of inhibition observed for the combination is greater than E,there is a synergistic effect.The term “synergistic effect” also means the effect defined byapplication of the Tammes method, “Isoboles, a graphic representation ofsynergism in pesticides”, Netherlands Journal of Plant Pathology, 70(1964), pages 73-80.

The pesticide composition according to the invention may comprise from0.00001 to 100%, preferably from 0.001 to 80%, of active compounds,whether these compounds are combined, or whether they are in the form oftwo or more active ingredients used separately.

More generally, the pesticide composition according to the invention mayeventually also comprise one or more other active substances selectedfrom fungicide, herbicide, insecticide or plant growth regulator activecompounds.

In addition to these additional active agents, the pesticide compositionaccording to the invention may also comprise any other adjuvants orauxiliary agent useful in plant protection formulations such as, forexample, an agriculturally suitable inert carrier and optionally anagriculturally suitable surfactant.

For its practical use, the pesticide composition according to theinvention can be used alone or in formulations containing one or theother of the active ingredients or alternatively both of them together,in combination or association with one or more other compatiblecomponents which are, for example, solid or liquid fillers or diluents,adjuvants, surfactants or equivalents, which are suitable for thedesired use and which are acceptable for uses in agriculture. Theformulations can be of any type known in the sector that is suitable forapplication onto all types of cultures or crops. These formulations,which can be prepared in any manner known by the skilled person, alsoform part of the invention.

The formulations may also contain ingredients of other types, such asprotective colloids, adhesives, thickeners, thixotropic agents,penetrating agents, oils for spraying, stabilisers, preserving agents(in particular mould-proofing or biocide agents), sequestering orchelating agents or the like. More generally, the compounds used in theinvention can be combined with any solid or liquid additivescorresponding to the usual formulation techniques.

The term “filler” means an organic or inorganic, natural or syntheticcomponent with which the active components are combined to facilitateits application, for example, onto the plants, the seeds or the soil.This filler is consequently generally inert and it must be acceptable(for example acceptable for agronomic uses, in particular for treatingplants).

The filler can be solid, for example clays, natural or syntheticsilicates, silica, resins, waxes, solid fertilizers (for exampleammonium salts), natural soil minerals, such as kaolins, clays, talc,lime, quartz, attapulgite, montmorillonite, bentonite or diatomaceousearths, or synthetic minerals, such as silica, alumina or silicates, inparticular aluminium or magnesium silicates. The solid fillers which aresuitable for granules are as follows: natural, crushed or broken rocks,such as calcite, marble, pumice, sepiolite and dolomite; syntheticgranules of inorganic or organic flours; granules of organic materialsuch as sawdust, coconut shell, corn ear or envelope, or tobacco stem;kieselguhr, tricalcium phosphate, powdered cork or adsorbent carbonblack; water-soluble polymers, resins, waxes; or solid fertilizers. Suchcomposition may, if so desired, contain one or more compatible agentssuch as wetting agents, dispersing agents, emulsifiers or colouringswhich, when they are solid, may also act as diluents.

The fillers may also be liquid, for example: water, alcohols, inparticular butanol or glycol, as well as ethers or esters thereof, inparticular methyl glycol acetate; ketones, in particular acetone,cyclohexanone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone orisophorone; petroleum fractions such as paraffinic or aromatichydrocarbons, in particular xylenes or alkylnaphthalenes; mineral orplant oils; aliphatic chlorohydrocarbons, in particular trichloroethaneor methylene chloride; aromatic chlorohydrocarbons, in particularchlorobenzenes; water-soluble or highly polar solvents such asdimethylformamide, dimethyl sulphoxide, N,N-dimethyl-acetamide orN-methylpyrrolidone; N-octylpyrrolidone, liquefied gases; or the like,whether they are taken separately or as a mixture.

The surfactant can be an emulsifier, a dispersing agent or a wettingagent, of ionic or nonionic type or a mixture of these surfactants.Among those surfactants there are used, for example, polyacrylic acidsalts, lignosulphonic acid salts, phenolsulphonic ornaphthalenesulphonic acid salts, polycondensates of ethylene oxide withfatty alcohols or fatty acids or fatty esters or fatty amines,substituted phenols (in particular alkylphenols or arylphenols),ester-salts of sulphosuccinic acid, taurine derivatives (in particularalkyl taurates), phosphoric esters of alcohols or of polycondensates ofethylene oxide with phenols, fatty acid esters with polyols, orsulphate, sulphonate or phosphate functional derivatives of thecompounds described above. The presence of at least one surfactant isgenerally essential when the active ingredients and/or the inert fillerare insoluble or only sparingly soluble in water and when the filler forthe said composition to be applied is water.

The formulations may also contain other additives such as adhesives ordyes. Adhesives such as carboxymethylcellulose or natural or syntheticpolymers in the form of powders, granules or matrices, such as gumarabic, latex, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyvinyl alcohol or polyvinylacetate, natural phospholipids, such as cephalins or lecithins, orsynthetic phospholipids can be used in the formulations. It is possibleto use colourings such as inorganic pigments, such as, for example: ironoxides, titanium oxides, Prussian blue; organic colouring stuffs, suchas those of the alizarin, azo or metal phthalocyanin type; or of traceelements such as iron, manganese, boron, copper, cobalt, molybdenum orzinc salts.

The form of the pesticide composition according to the invention can beselected in a large number of formulations, such as aerosol dispenser;suspension of capsules; cold fogging concentrate; dustable powder;emulsifiable concentrate; aqueous/aqueous type emulsion; oil/inversetype emulsion; encapsulated granule; fine granule; suspensionconcentrate for seed treatment; compressed gas; gas generating product;granule; hot fogging concentrate; macrogranule; microgranule;oil-dispersible powder; oil miscible suspension concentrate;oil-miscible liquid; paste; plant rodlet; powder for dry seed treatment;seeds coated with a pesticide; smoke maydle; smoke cartridge; smokegenerator; smoke pellet; smoke rodlet; smoke tablet; smoke tin; solubleconcentrate; soluble powder; solution for seed treatment; suspensionconcentrate (=flowable concentrate); ultra low volume liquid; ultra lowvolume suspension; vapour releasing product; water-dispersible granulesor tablets; water dispersible powder for slurry treatment; water-solublegranules or tablets; water-soluble powder for seed treatment; wettablepowder.

The pesticide composition according to the present invention covers notonly the compositions which are ready to be applied to the crop by meansof a suitable device, such as a spraying device, but also the commercialconcentrated composition which have to be diluted before application tothe crop.

The pesticide composition herein described is used in general forapplication to growing plants, or to sites where crops are grown orintended to grow, or for the treatment, coating or film-coating ofseeds.

According to the present invention, seeds may comprise any propagationmaterials, like for example seeds, fruit, tubers, grains, roots,rhizomes, parts of plants.

The pesticide composition according to the invention may also be appliedto the vegetation and in particular to the leaves infested or capable ofbeing infested with the phytopathogenic fungi or damaged by insects.Another method of applying the pesticide composition according to theinvention is to add a formulation containing the active ingredients tothe irrigation water.

According to another object of the present invention, there is provideda method for controlling the phytopathogenic fungi or damaging insectsof plants, crops or seeds, characterized in that an agronomicallyeffective and substantially non-phytotoxic quantity of a pesticidecomposition according to the invention is applied as seed treatment,foliar application, stem application, drench or drip application orchemigation to the seed, the plant or to the fruit of the plant or tosoil or to inert substrate (e.g. inorganic substrates like sand,rockwool, glasswool; expanded minerals like perlite, vermiculite,zeolite or expanded clay), Pumice, Pyroclastic materials or stuff,synthetic organic substrates (e.g. polyurethane), organic substrates(e.g. peat, composts, tree waste products like coir, wood fibre orchips, tree bark) or to a liquid substrate (e.g. floating hydroponicsystems, Nutrient Film Technique, Aeroponics) wherein the plant isgrowing or in which it is desired to grow.

The expression “are applied to the plants to be treated” is understoodto mean, for the purposes of the present invention, that the pesticidecomposition which is the subject of the invention can be applied bymeans of various methods of treatment such as:

-   -   spraying onto the aerial parts of the said plants a liquid        comprising one of the said compositions,    -   dusting, the incorporation into the soil of granules or powders,        spraying, around the said plants, and in the case of trees        injection or daubing,    -   coating or film-coating the seeds of the said plants with the        aid of a plant-protection mixture comprising one of the said        compositions.

The method according to the invention may either be a curing, preventingor eradicating method.

In this method, a composition used can be prepared beforehand by mixingthe two or more active compounds according to the invention.

According to an alternative of such a method, it is also possible toapply simultaneously, successively or separately compounds (A) and (B)and optionally (C) so as to have the conjugated (A)/(B) (optionally (C))effects, of distinct compositions each containing one of the two orthree active ingredients (A) or (B), optionally (C). Such a method canbe extended to the further application of compound (C).

The dose of active compound usually applied in the method of treatmentaccording to the invention is generally and advantageously

-   -   for foliar treatments: from 0.1 to 10,000 g/ha, preferably from        10 to 1,000 g/ha, more preferably from 50 to 300 g/ha; in case        of drench or drip application, the dose can even be reduced,        especially while using inert substrates like rockwool or        perlite;    -   for seed treatment: from 2 to 200 g per 100 kilogram of seed,        preferably from 3 to 150 g per 100 kilogram of seed;    -   for soil treatment: from 0.1 to 10,000 g/ha, preferably from 1        to 5,000 g/ha.

The doses herein indicated are given as illustrative examples of themethod according to the invention. A person skilled in the art will knowhow to adapt the application doses, notably according to the nature ofthe plant or crop to be treated.

Under specific conditions, for example according to the nature of thephytopathogenic fungus to be treated or insect to control, a lower dosemay offer adequate protection. Certain climatic conditions, resistanceor other factors like the nature of the phytopathogenic fungi ordamaging insect to be eliminated or the degree of infestation, forexample, of the plants with these fungi, may require higher doses ofcombined active ingredients.

The optimum dose usually depends on several factors, for example on thetype of phytopathogenic fungus to be treated or insect to control, onthe type or level of development of the infested plant, on the densityof vegetation, or alternatively on the method of application.

Without it being limiting, the crop treated with the pesticidecomposition or combination according to the invention is, for example,grapevine, but this could be cereals, vegetables, lucerne, soybean,market garden crops, turf, wood, tree or horticultural plants.

The method of treatment according to the invention may also be useful totreat propagation material such as tubers or rhizomes, but also seeds,seedlings or seedlings pricking out and plants or plants pricking out.This method of treatment may also be useful to treat roots. The methodof treatment according to the invention may also be useful to treat theover-ground parts of the plant such as trunks, stems or stalks, leaves,flowers and fruit of the concerned plant.

Among the plants that can be protected by the method according to theinvention, mention can be made of cotton; flax; vine; fruit or vegetablecrops such as Rosaceae sp. (for instance pip fruit such as apples andpears, but also stone fruit such as apricots, almonds and peaches),Ribesioidae sp., Juglandaceae sp., Betulaceae sp., Anacardiaceae sp.,Fagaceae sp., Moraceae sp., Oleaceae sp., Actimidaceae sp., Lauraceaesp., Musaceae sp. (for instance banana trees and plantins), Rubiaceaesp., Theaceae sp., Sterculiceae sp., Rutaceae sp. (for instance lemons,oranges and grapefruit); Solanaceae sp. (for instance tomatoes),Liliaceae sp., Asteraceae sp. (for instance lettuces), Umbelliferae sp.,Cruciferae sp., Chenopodiaceae sp., Cucurbitaceae sp., Papilionaceae sp.(for instance peas), Rosaceae sp. (for instance strawberries); majorcrops such as Graminae sp. (for instance maize, lawn or cereals such aswheat, rice, barley and triticale), Asteraceae sp. (for instancesunflower), Cruciferae sp. (for instance colza), Fabacae sp. (forinstance peanuts), Papilionaceae sp. (for instance soybean), Solanaceaesp. (for instance potatoes), Chenopodiaceae sp. (for instancebeetroots); horticultural and forest crops; as well as geneticallymodified homologues of these crops.

The composition according to the invention may also be used in thetreatment of genetically modified organisms with the compounds accordingto the invention or the agrochemical compositions according to theinvention. Genetically modified plants are plants into genome of which aheterologous gene encoding a protein of interest has been stablyintegrated. The expression “heterologous gene encoding a protein ofinterest” essentially means genes which give the transformed plant newagronomic properties, or genes for improving the agronomic quality ofthe modified plant.

The composition according to the invention may also be used againstfungal diseases liable to grow on or inside timber. The term “timber”means all types of species of wood, and all types of working of thiswood intended for construction, for example solid wood, high-densitywood, laminated wood, and plywood. The method for treating timberaccording to the invention mainly consists in contacting one or morecompounds according to the invention, or a composition according to theinvention; this includes for example direct application, spraying,dipping, injection or any other suitable means.

Among the diseases of plants or crops that can be controlled by themethod according to the invention, mention can be made of:

Powdery mildew diseases such as:

Blumeria diseases, caused for example by Blumeria graminis;

Podosphaera diseases, caused for example by Podosphaera leucotricha;

Sphaerotheca diseases, caused for example by Sphaerotheca fuliginea;

Uncinula diseases, caused for example by Uncinula necator;

Rust diseases such as:

Gymnosporangium diseases, caused for example by Gymnosporangium sabinae;

Hemileia diseases, caused for example by Hemileia vastatrix;

Phakopsora diseases, caused for example by Phakopsora pachyrhizi orPhakopsora meibomiae;

Puccinia diseases, caused for example by Puccinia recondita;

Uromyces diseases, caused for example by Uromyces appendiculatus;

Oomycete diseases such as:

Bremia diseases, caused for example by Bremia lactucae;

Peronospora diseases, caused for example by Peronospora pisi or P.brassicae;

Phytophthora diseases, caused for example by Phytophthora infestans;

Plasmopara diseases, caused for example by Plasmopara viticola;

Pseudoperonospora diseases, caused for example by Pseudoperonosporahumuli

or

Pseudoperonospora cubensis;

Pythium diseases, caused for example by Pythium ultimum;

Leafspot, leaf blotch and leaf blight diseases such as:

Alternaria diseases, caused for example by Alternaria solani;

Cercospora diseases, caused for example by Cercospora beticola;

Cladiosporum diseases, caused for example by Cladiosporium cucumerinum;

Cochliobolus diseases, caused for example by Cochliobolus sativus;

Colletotrichum diseases, caused for example by Colletotrichumlindemuthanium;

Cycloconium diseases, caused for example by Cycloconium oleaginum;

Diaporthe diseases, caused for example by Diaporthe citri;

Elsinoe diseases, caused for example by Elsinoe fawcettii;

Gloeosporium diseases, caused for example by Gloeosporium laeticolor;

Glomerella diseases, caused for example by Glomerella cingulata;

Guignardia diseases, caused for example by Guignardia bidwelli;

Leptosphaeria diseases, caused for example by Leptosphaeria maculans;Leptosphaeria nodorum;

Magnaporthe diseases, caused for example by Magnaporthe grisea;

Mycosphaerella diseases, caused for example by Mycosphaerellagraminicola; Mycosphaerella arachidicola; Mycosphaerella fijiensis;

Phaeosphaeria diseases, caused for example by Phaeosphaeria nodorum;

Pyrenophora diseases, caused for example by Pyrenophora teres;

Ramularia diseases, caused for example by Ramularia collo-cygni;

Rhynchosporium diseases, caused for example by Rhynchosporium secalis;

Septoria diseases, caused for example by Septoria apii or Septorialycopercisi;

Typhula diseases, caused for example by Typhula incamata;

Venturia diseases, caused for example by Venturia inaequalis;

Root and stem diseases such as:

Corticium diseases, caused for example by Corticium graminearum;

Fusarium diseases, caused for example by Fusarium oxysporum;

Gaeumannomyces diseases, caused for example by Gaeumannomyces graminis;

Rhizoctonia diseases, caused for example by Rhizoctonia solani;

Tapesia diseases, caused for example by Tapesia acuformis;

Thielaviopsis diseases, caused for example by Thielaviopsis basicola;

Ear and panicle diseases such as:

Alternaria diseases, caused for example by Alternaria spp.;

Aspergillus diseases, caused for example by Aspergillus flavus;

Cladosporium diseases, caused for example by Cladosporium spp.;

Claviceps diseases, caused for example by Claviceps purpurea;

Fusarium diseases, caused for example by Fusarium culmorum;

Gibberella diseases, caused for example by Gibberella zeae;

Monographella diseases, caused for example by Monographella nivalis;

Smut and bunt diseases such as:

Sphacelotheca diseases, caused for example by Sphacelotheca reiliana;

Tilletia diseases, caused for example by Tilletia caries;

Urocystis diseases, caused for example by Urocystis occulta;

Ustilago diseases, caused for example by Ustilago nuda;

Fruit rot and mould diseases such as:

Aspergillus diseases, caused for example by Aspergillus flavus;

Botrytis diseases, caused for example by Botrytis cinerea;

Penicillium diseases, caused for example by Penicillium expansum;

Sclerotinia diseases, caused for example by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum;

Verticilium diseases, caused for example by Verticilium alboatrum;

Seed and soilborne decay, mould, wilt, rot and damping-off diseases:

Fusarium diseases, caused for example by Fusarium culmorum;

Phytophthora diseases, caused for example by Phytophthora cactorum;

Pythium diseases, caused for example by Pythium ultimum;

Rhizoctonia diseases, caused for example by Rhizoctonia solani;

Sclerotium diseases, caused for example by Sclerotium rolfsii;

Microdochium diseases, caused for example by Microdochium nivale;

Canker, broom and dieback diseases such as:

Nectria diseases, caused for example by Nectria gaffigena;

Blight diseases such as:

Monilinia diseases, caused for example by Monilinia laxa;

Leaf blister or leaf curl diseases such as:

Taphrina diseases, caused for example by Taphrina deformans;

Decline diseases of wooden plants such as:

Esca diseases, caused for example by Phaemoniella clamydospora;

Eutypa dyeback, caused for example by Eutypa lata;

Dutch elm disease, caused for example by Ceratocystsc ulmi;

Diseases of flowers and Seeds such as:

Botrytis diseases, caused for example by Botrytis cinerea;

Diseases of tubers such as:

Rhizoctonia diseases, caused for example by Rhizoctonia solani

Helminthosporium diseases, caused for example by Helminthosporiumsolani.

The damaging insects of crops which can be controlled at any developmentstage by using the pesticide composition according to the inventioninclude:

-   -   pests from the order of Isopoda for example Oniscus asellus,        Armadiffidium vulgare, Porceffio scaber;    -   pests from the order of Diplopoda for example Blaniulus        guttulatus;    -   pests from the order of Chilopoda for example Geophilus        carpophagus, Scutigera spp.;    -   pests from the order of Symphyla for example Scutigerella        immaculata;    -   pests from the order of Thysanura for example Lepisma        saccharina;    -   pests from the order of Collembola for example Onychiurus        armatus;    -   pests from the order of Orthoptera for example Acheta        domesticus, Gryllotalpa spp., Locusta migratoria migratorioides,        Melanoplus spp., Schistocerca gregaria;    -   pests from the order of Blattaria for example Blatta orientalis,        Periplaneta americana, Leucophaea maderae, Blattella germanica;    -   pests from the order of Dermaptera for example Forficula        auricularia;    -   pests from the order of Isoptera for example Reticulitermes        spp.;    -   pests from the order of Phthiraptera for example Pediculus        humanus corporis, Haematopinus spp., Linognathus spp.,        Trichodectes spp., Damalinia spp.;    -   pests from the order of Thysanoptera for example Hercinothrips        femoralis, Thrips tabaci, Thrips palmi, Frankliniella        accidentalis;    -   pests from the order of Heteroptera for example Eurygaster spp.,        Dysdercus intermedius, Piesma quadrata, Cimex lectularius,        Rhodnius prolixus, Triatoma spp;    -   pests from the order of Homoptera for example Aleurodes        brassicae, Bemisia tabaci, Trialeurodes vaporariorum, Aphis        gossypii, Brevicoryne brassicae, Cryptomyzus ribis, Aphis fabae,        Aphis pomi, Eriosoma lanigerum, Hyalopterus arundinis,        Phylloxera vastatrix, Pemphigus spp., Macrosiphum avenae, Myzus        spp., Phorodon humuli, Rhopalosiphum padi, Empoasca spp.,        Euscelis bilobatus, Nephotettix cincticeps, Lecanium corni,        Saissetia oleae, Laodelphax striatellus, Nilaparvata lugens,        Aonidiella aurantii, Aspidiotus hederae, Pseudococcus spp.,        Psylla spp;    -   pests from the order of Lepidoptera for example Pectinophora        gossypiella, Bupalus piniarius, Chematobia brumata,        Lithocolletis blancardella, Hyponomeuta padella, Plutella        xylostella, Malacosoma neustria, Euproctis chrysorrhoea,        Lymantria spp., Bucculatrix thurberiella, Phyllocnistis        citrella, Agrotis spp., Euxoa spp., Feltia spp., Earias        insulana, Heliothis spp., Mamestra brassicae, Panolis flammea,        Spodoptera spp., Trichoplusia ni, Carpocapsa pomonella, Pieris        spp., Chilo spp., Pyrausta nubilalis, Ephestia kuehniella,        Galleria mellonella, Tineola bisselliella, Tinea peffionella,        Hofmannophila pseudospretella, Cacoecia podana, Capua        reticulana, Choristoneura fumiferana, Clysia ambiguella, Homona        magnanima, Tortrix viridana, Cnaphalocerus spp., Oulema oryzae;    -   pests from the order of Coleoptera for example Anobium        punctatum, Rhizopertha dominica, Bruchidius obtectus,        Acanthoscelides obtectus, Hylotrupes bajulus, Agelastica alni,        Leptinotarsa decemlineata, Phaedon cochleariae, Diabrotica spp.,        Psylliodes chrysocephala, Epilachna varivestis, Atomaria spp.,        Oryzaephilus surinamensis, Anthonomus spp., Sitophilus spp.,        Otiorrhynchus sulcatus, Cosmopolites sordidus, Ceuthorrhynchus        assimilis, Hypera postica, Dermestes spp., Trogoderma spp.,        Anthrenus spp., Attagenus spp., Lyctus spp., Meligethes aeneus,        Ptinus spp., Niptus hololeucus, Gibbium psylloides, Tribolium        spp., Tenebrio molitor, Agriotes spp., Conoderus spp.,        Melolontha melolontha, Amphimallon solstitialis, Costelytra        zealandica, Lissorhoptrus oryzophilus;    -   pests from the order of Hymenoptera for example Diprion spp.,        Hoplocampa spp., Lasius spp., Monomorium pharaonis, Vespa spp;    -   pests from the order of Diptera for example Aedes spp.,        Anopheles spp., Culex spp., Drosophila melanogaster, Musca spp.,        Fannia spp., Calliphora erythrocephala, Lucilia spp., Chrysomyia        spp., Cuterebra spp., Gastrophilus spp., Hyppobosca spp.,        Stomoxys spp., Oestrus spp., Hypoderma spp., Tabanus spp.,        Tannia spp., Bibio hortulanus, Oscinella frit, Phorbia spp.,        Pegomyia hyoscyami, Ceratitis capitata, Dacus oleae, Tipula        paludosa, Hylemyia spp., Liriomyza spp.;    -   pests from the order of Siphonaptera for example Xenopsylla        cheopis, Ceratophyllus spp.;    -   pests from the class of Arachnida for example Scorpio maurus,        Latrodectus mactans, Acarus siro, Argas spp., Ornithodoros spp.,        Dermanyssus gallinae, Eriophyes ribis, Phyllocoptruta oleivora,        Boophilus spp., Rhipicephalus spp., Amblyomma spp., Hyalomma        spp., Ixodes spp., Psoroptes spp., Chorioptes spp., Sarcoptes        spp., Tarsonemus spp., Bryobia praetiosa, Panonychus spp.,        Tetranychus spp., Hemitarsonemus spp., Brevipalpus spp;    -   the plant-parasitic neamnotes such as Pratylenchus spp.,        Radopholus similis, Ditylenchus dipsaci, Tylenchulus        semipenetrans, Heterodera spp., Globodera spp., Meloidogyne        spp., Aphelenchoides spp., Longidorus spp., Xiphinema spp.,        Trichodorus spp., Bursaphelenchus spp.

As a further aspect, the present invention provides a product comprisinga compound (A) and a compound (B) and optionally a compound (C), asherein defined, as a combined preparation for simultaneous, separate orsequential use in controlling the phytopathogenic fungi or damaginginsects of plants, crops or seeds at a site.

The pesticide composition according to the invention can be preparedimmediately before use by using a kit-of-parts for controlling,curatively or preventively, the phytopathogenic fungi of crops, such akit-of-parts may comprise at least one compound (A) and at least onecompound (B) and optionally compound (C) intended to be combined or usedsimultaneously, separately or sequentially in controlling thephytopathogenic fungi of crops at a site.

It is therefore a pack in which the user finds all the ingredients forpreparing the fungicide formulation which they wish to apply to thecrops. These ingredients, which comprise in particular the active agents(A) and (B) and optionally compound (C) and which are packagedseparately, are provided in the form of a powder or in the form of aliquid which is concentrated to a greater or lesser degree. The usersimply has to mix in the prescribed doses and to add the quantities ofliquid, for example of water, necessary to obtain a formulation which isready to use and which can be applied to the crops.

The present invention can be illustrated by the following andnon-limitative examples.

Efficacy Example A: Plutella xylostella Test

Solvent: 7 parts by weight of dimethylformamide

Emulsifier: 2 parts by weight of alkylaryl polyglycolether

To produce a suitable preparation of active compound, 1 part by weightof active compound is mixed with the stated amount of solvent andemulsifier, and the concentrate is diluted with emulsifier-containingwater to the desired concentration. Cabbage leaves (Brassica oleracea)are treated by being dipped into the preparation of the active compoundat the desired concentration and are infested with larvae of the diamondblack moth Plutella xylostella as long as the leaves are still moist.After a period of time of 4 days, the mortality is determined. 100%means that all the caterpillars have been killed; 0% means that none ofthe caterpillars have been killed.

According to the present application in this test e.g. the followingcombination shows a synergistic effect in comparison to the singlecompounds. The results are presented in table 1.

TABLE 1 Expected value Rate of application according to of activecompound Efficacy Colby formula (ppm) (%) (%) propamocarb 200 25 /thiacloprid 20 20 / propamocarb + 200 + 20 80 40 thiaclopridEfficacy Example B: Spodoptera exigua TestSolvent: 7 parts by weight of dimethylformamideEmulsifier: 2 parts by weight of alkylaryl polyglycoletherTo produce a suitable preparation of active compound, 1 part by weightof active compound is mixed with the stated amount of solvent andemulsifier, and the concentrate is diluted with emulsifier-containingwater to the desired concentration. Cabbage leaves (Brassica oleracea)are treated by being dipped into the preparation of the active compoundat the desired concentration and are infested with larvae of the beetarmy worm (Spodoptera exigua) as long as the leaves are still moist.After a period of time of 6 days, the mortality is determined. 100%means that all the caterpillars have been killed; 0% means that none ofthe caterpillars have been killed.

According to the present application in this test e.g. the followingcombination shows a synergistic effect in comparison to the singlecompounds. The results are presented in table 2.

TABLE 2 Expected value Rate of application according to of activecompound Efficacy Colby formula (ppm) (%) (%) propamocarb 100 0 /clothianidin 100 45 / propamocarb + 100 + 100 100 45 clothianidinEfficacy Example C: Spodoptera frugiperda TestSolvent: 7 parts by weight of dimethylformamideEmulsifier: 2 parts by weight of alkylaryl polyglycoletherTo produce a suitable preparation of active compound, 1 part by weightof active compound is mixed with the stated amount of solvent andemulsifier, and the concentrate is diluted with emulsifier-containingwater to the desired concentration. Cabbage leaves (Brassica oleracea)are treated by being dipped into the preparation of the active compoundat the desired concentration and are infested with larvae of the fallarmy worm (Spodoptera frugiperda) as long as the leaves are still moist.After a period of time of 4 days, the mortality is determined. 100%means that all the caterpillars have been killed; 0% means that none ofthe caterpillars have been killed.

According to the present application in this test e.g. the followingcombination shows a synergistic effect in comparison to the singlecompounds. The results are presented in table 3.

TABLE 3 Expected value Rate of application according to of activecompound Efficacy Colby formula (ppm) (%) (%) propamocarb 100 0 /propamocarb 200 0 / clothianidin 20 0 / imidacloprid 20 0 / thiamethoxam100 0 / propamocarb + 100 + 20 20 0 clothianidin propamocarb + 200 + 2040 0 imidacloprid propamocarb +  200 + 100 80 0 thiamethoxam

1. A composition comprising: A) propamocarb-HCl and B) an insecticidecompound selected from the group consisting of spirodiclofen,spiromesifen and spirotetramat in an A/B weight ratio ranging from1/1,000 to 1,000/1.
 2. A composition according to claim 1 whereincompound B is spirodiclofen.
 3. A composition according to claim 2wherein the A/B weight ratio ranges from 1/125 to 125/1.
 4. Acomposition according to claim 1 wherein compound B is spiromesifen. 5.A composition according to claim 1 wherein compound B is spirotetramat.6. A composition according to claim 5 wherein the A/B weight ratioranges from 1/25 to 25/1.
 7. A composition according to claim 1 whereinthe A/B weight ratio ranges from 1/125 to 125/1.
 8. A compositionaccording to claim 1 wherein the A/B weight ratio ranges from 1/25 to25/1.
 9. A method for controlling the phytopathogenic fungi or damaginginsects of plants, crops or seeds comprising the application of anagronomically effective and substantially non-phytotoxic quantity of apesticide composition according to claim 1 as seed treatment, foliarapplication, stem application, drench or drip application or chemigationto the seed, the plant or to the fruit of the plant or to soil or toinert substrate, Pumice, Pyroclastic materials, synthetic organicsubstrates, organic substrates or to a liquid substrate wherein theplant is growing or in which it is desired to grow.
 10. A compositionaccording to claim 1 further comprising C) a fungicide compound in anA/B/C weight ratio ranging from 1/1,000/1,000 to 1/0.001/0.001.
 11. Acomposition according to claim 10 wherein the A/B/C weight ratio rangesfrom 1/100/100 to 1/0.01/0.01.
 12. A composition according to claim 10wherein the A/B/C weight ratio ranges from 1/80/80 to 1/0.05/0.05.
 13. Acomposition according to claim 10 wherein the A/B/C weight ratio rangesfrom 1/50/100 to 1/1.5/2.5.
 14. A composition according to claim 10wherein the A/B/C weight ratio ranges from 1/12/25 to 1/6/12.
 15. Acomposition according to claim 10 wherein compound C is selected fromthe group consisting of benalaxyl, benalaxyl-M, benthiavalicarb,carboxin, chlorothalonil, cyazofamid, cymoxanil, dimethomorph,fluazinam, fludioxonil, fluoxastrobin, fluquinconazole, flutriafol,fosetyl-Al, hexaconazole, hymexazol, ipconazole, mancozeb,mandipropamid, maneb, mefenoxam, metalaxyl, metiram, penconazole,penthiopyrad, phosphorous acid, propamocarb-fosetylate, propineb,prothioconazole, tebuconazole, thiram, triadimenol, trifloxystrobin,triticonazole andN-[2-(1,3-dimethyl-butyl)-phenyl]-5-fluoro-1,3-dimethyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide.16. A composition according to claim 15 wherein the A/B/C weight ratioranges from 1/100/100 to 1/0.01/0.01.
 17. A composition according toclaim 15 wherein the A/B/C weight ratio ranges from 1/80/80 to1/0.05/0.05.
 18. A composition according to claim 15 wherein the A/B/Cweight ratio ranges from 1/50/100 to 1/1.5/2.5.
 19. A compositionaccording to claim 15 wherein the A/B/C weight ratio ranges from 1/12/25to 1/6/12.
 20. A method for controlling the phytopathogenic fungi ordamaging insects of plants, crops or seeds comprising the application ofan agronomically effective and substantially non-phytotoxic quantity ofa pesticide composition according to claim 15 as seed treatment, foliarapplication, stem application, drench or drip application or chemigationto the seed, the plant or to the fruit of the plant or to soil or toinert substrate, Pumice, Pyroclastic materials, synthetic organicsubstrates, organic substrates or to a liquid substrate wherein theplant is growing or in which it is desired to grow.